The Design Questionnaire with Marlaina Teich

marlaina teich designs luxury living room

In this edition of Love Happens’ Proust-style Design Questionnaire, join us for a peek inside the creative mind of Marlaina Teich, founder of the eponymous New York-based design firm. Marlaina Teich Designs creates thoughtful, colorful, beautifully arranged interiors spanning across Long Island, Manhattan, Miami, Seattle, Palm Springs, and even the Caribbean.


Meet Marlaina Teich & Marlaina Teich Designs


Marlaina Teich, Founder of Marlaina Teich Designs
Marlaina Teich, Founder of Marlaina Teich Designs

Marlaina has always found herself gravitating toward artistic passions surrounding nature, architecture, and traveling. She was drawn to the field of interior design because of its impeccable ability to connect people to their surroundings and to the nature of art around them.

luxury kitchen at the Hampton's Showhouse Interior design by Marlaina Teich Design
Hampton’s Showhouse Interior by Marlaina Teich Design

Marlaina’s unique and refined style varies with each project and each client. She makes it a point to incorporate her signature variation of colors, patterns, and textures into each vision and project. Marlaina also greatly values community and charity and is currently serving her community as President of the Designers and Builder’s Alliance of Long Island—a collaborative of designers that raises funds for local charities.

Read on for a peek inside the inventive, creative, colorful mind of Marlaina!


The Lh Design Questionnaire with Marlaina Teich


What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Vacationing somewhere coastal with my hubby and sons! Maybe a cocktail or two thrown in there ;).

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I’m a founding member and past president of The Designers and Builders Alliance of LI. We are a group of people in the design industry; designers, architects, contractors, builders, tradespeople, suppliers—all people that come together to give back to our community.

Our signature event, of which I was the event co-chair, is called Mystery by Design. We raise money for a charity called Kids Need More that’s very close to our hearts. Our efforts helped to enable Kids Need More to grow and to be able to offer services/programs, such as summer sleep-away camp, to children and young adults who are fighting life-threatening illnesses.

What profession does your alter ego have?

A red carpet interviewer—marrying my love of pop culture and my past, working in fashion, in one!

The project you will never forget.

On one episode of George to the Rescue, we designed the bedroom and bathroom as well as put an endless pool in the garage of Anastasia Pagonis, a 15-year-old Paralympic swimmer who had recently lost her eyesight completely. It was important we created a space that was safe and relaxing for her, paying extra attention to lighting control and creating tactile experiences.

The impact this had on her life was tremendous and the impact it had on the design team was just as great. This past year, the episode won a daytime Emmy award and I have to imagine it’s because in a world of a lot of fake content the authenticity here really shined through.

The most timeless design.

A classic, black jumbo flap Chanel bag. Chic, goes with everything, and always in style! I could go on and on because it’s been an incredibly influential piece not just for wearable fashion, but interiors too. It feels luxe but comfortable, and is the perfect size—these are elements I’m always thinking about when designing: luxury, comfort, proportion.

home bar design by marlaina teich designs
Interior by Marlaina Teich Designs

The biggest design faux pas.

There are times when I cringe at some things I encounter, design-wise: many of them revolve around things not being the right size, or being hung too high or too low—Art, drapery, chandeliers. 

Your design motto.

Luxury should work for real-life living. 

If you were to design a room around one KOKET piece, which would it be, and why?

Without a doubt, the Vivre chandelier! I love gems and a little bling. Also, the design is edgy and on-trend.

Vivre Chandelier by KOKET

Love happens when…

…you let go of expectations and have complete trust. This is true of working with an interior designer too! 😉

Learn more about Marlaina Teich Designs at www.mtdny.com


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